How To Approach Free Agency: The Broncos

by Brandon on Mar 10, 2010 10:00 AM CST in Green Bay Packers Free Agency

As the Green Bay Packers still need to resign NT Ryan Pickett, though he won't leave now that he's been made the franchise player, I was interested in the news that the Broncos signed a similar player, former Charger NT Jamal Williams to a three-year, $16 million deal with $7 million guaranteed. At first it seemed like a good move, signing a three-time Pro Bowl player away from a division rival, but there was a reason why the Chargers released him:

If the big NT really is being released by the Chargers, I get the feeling it's going to be more of a retirement. The man has had so many injury issues in past seasons, it makes sense that he would be done with the rehab and would want to get out while he can still walk.

The Broncos also announced the signing of DE Jarvis Green for four-years and $20 million. Green is a 31 year old DE who has only had 3 sacks in the past two seasons and is coming off a knee injury. It doesn't sound like a good way to spend $5 million per season.

The signing of Williams and Green also hammers home the point that the Broncos will have a lot of starters on the wrong side of 30 in 2010. The Broncos are certainly doing things differently than the Packers would. Instead of looking to young starters they've recently drafted, they are plugging every hole on the roster with a veteran stop-gap. If it gets them to the Super Bowl, good for them, but it looks likely they'll have a case of buyer's remorse in a year or two.

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I think you meant to title this “How NOT to approach free agency”, because while throwing money at experienced proven players might help for a little while, throwing money at older injury-prone players is a recipe for disaster.

by cmadler on Mar 10, 2010 11:06 AM CST reply actions

?

If you are quoting sack #‘s for a 3/4 defensive end you are not quite understanding how the defense works. The end and nose tackle in a 3/4 defense job is too stop the run and occupy blockers. The sacks come from the outside backers and as I am sure you know Denver has the best in the NFL in Dumerville. I am sure you also know that defensive lineman usually take 3 years to develop. Denver’s strategy is pretty clear here, get some savvy 3/4 veterans to hold down the ship while the young guys learn from them before taking over. Denver has young talented guys waiting in the wings and probably will add to that collection this draft. Denver used this strategy with their safeties (and the Patriots have parlayed this strategy into multiple super bowls). 2 young guys sitting back watching and learning from the vets. Did you think signing Dawkins last year was a bad move also. The pro-bowl voters sure liked the signing.

by AKfan on Mar 10, 2010 11:20 AM CST reply actions

Thank you

This is what I’ve been preaching ever since TT started his campaign of rebuilding. We don’t need to throw money at guys who are near the end of their career and are looking for one last payout.

Of coarse there are rare exceptions to this rule, such as Reggie White and Charles Woodson, but for everyone of those guys there are so many more Joe Johnsons.

Add on top of all of this that there just have not been the guys in free agency that address the need we have and are worth the coin that I just don’t get why Packer fans always bitch that no news comes out of 1265 this time of year.

by PackApologist on Mar 10, 2010 1:55 PM CST reply actions

Woodson was just in the wrong system with the wrong attitude.

Green Bay changed him completely.

Trust me, nobody would have thought Charles Woodson was this good a few years ago except Michigan diehards…

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Mar 10, 2010 7:44 PM CST up reply actions

Unlike the Packers... The Broncos aren't going to give their GM & Josh McDaniels 6 years to build a Winner!

Broncos have to win this year… They can’t have another melt down…

Hey Why Am I Talking About The Broncos??? Who cares what the Broncos do…?

As long as TT is our GM we KNOW we won’t go big in FA… PERIOD! Why even worry about Free Agency… If Ted surprises us with a signing… More the better!

Hey… I have an IDEA… Let’s talk about the Packers!! Forget the BRONCOS!

Go Pack!!

by Bird Dog Uni on Mar 10, 2010 7:00 PM CST reply actions

Why even worry about Free Agency… If Ted surprises us with a signing… More the better!

That is the truth, Brent.
Because, if Mr. Thompson “surprises us with a signing,” then you can bet your sweet bippy that it will be a player and a signing that he has done his homework on and has decided is a good value-signing, both in terms of finance and production, for the Packers!

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The glass is more than half-full.

by NorthStarr on Mar 11, 2010 1:42 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs